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MLB Picks

MLB Picks: National League Future Odds

There has been a slight alteration in the
futures betting odds at 5Dimes.eu as to who could win the National League, but
not as much as one might expect when it comes to making MLB picks.

Penthouse PicksWe are roughly a third of
the way into the baseball season and the Los Angeles Dodgersare still the favorites to win the NL
at +370. We are the first to agree L.A. has given no indication they can even
with their division let alone the league they play in.

The offense ranks fourth
in the NL, but is more effective on the road than at home, scoring 4.7 vs. 4.0.
In taking the long view, on the presumption the Dodgers make the postseason,
having Clayton Kershaw and Zack Grienke is great one-two combination, which
makes them a threat. However, based on today’s MLB odds, this team is a bad bet
to win the NL.

San Francisco has moved up
into the second slot at +430 and deservedly so. The Giants are third in runs
scored in the senior circuit and second in run prevention, leading to them
having the finest run differential in their league. San Fran at this time is
also far and away the best bet in the Majors and sage MLB baseball handicappers
those making sports picks are using them frequently. The best value bet on the
board.

Room with a ViewNext in line is St. Louis
and they have fallen to +450, as more and more questions are being raised about
their offense. The Cardinals are scoring 3.7 runs a game and while their
pitching has been solid in conceding just 3.6 RPG, based on the number of times
St. Louis plates, the numbers say they have to hold the opposition to two runs
a night, which is an awful lot to ask from your pitching staff.

Unless the offense comes
to life or a trade is made to add punch, hard to back the Cards.

First Floor by the PoolWashington and Atlanta
have the same odds at +565 and the goal for each squad it would appear would be
to win the NL East. This would preclude them from the wild card playoff game
and enhance their chances of winning.

While it is easy to love
the depth and overall pitching of the Braves, which is the best is the NL,
outside of Justin Upton, Freddie Freeman and the one to two home runs Evan
Gattis hits a week, Atlanta has no offensive potential and can be shutdown.

The Nationals are similar
to Atlanta with a slightly better offense (4.0 vs. 3.5) and a pitching staff
not quite as good (3.8 vs. 3.3). What Washington has going for them is they
will get two bats back in the lineup with Ryan Zimmerman and Bryce Harper.

How effective Zimmerman
can be, with word in the blog-world saying Zim could be playing three different
positions a week to save his throwing shoulder but get his bat on the Nats
lineup card. And as soon as Harper is done with his Gatorade treatments for his
thumb (expected return is July), Washington could make a second half move.

We’ll Leave the Light On for YouThere have recent
questions about Milwaukee and their ability to continue to play at this level
of performance. However, when you look at their weaker division and begin to
understand they have a quality pitching staff and an offense that comes through
when needed, the Brewers at +720 starts to have value.

What impresses me is
Milwaukee is the only team other than San Francisco in the league which has a
winning record in game outcomes by 1-run, 2-3 runs and 4 or more runs. This
shows they have more than one way to win games. If the Brew Crew can make a
trade for another bat in the lineup, the sportsbooks might be lowering their World Series odds even further.